Full list of Overseas Players Punjab Kings (PBKS) Will Release Ahead Of IPL 2025 Mega Auction

Punjab Kings are gearing up for yet another major overhaul as they prepare for IPL 2025. The franchise is planning to part ways with Trevor Bayliss as their head coach and is reportedly seeking an Indian coach to take over. Wasim Jaffer is said to be the frontrunner for this role, with Sanjay Bangar already involved with the team as the head of cricket operations.

Despite frequent changes in coaching staff and captains over the years, Punjab Kings have struggled to find success. Their only appearance in the IPL final was back in 2014, and they haven’t made it to the playoffs since.

Recent reports suggest that tensions have been high behind the scenes, with Punjab Kings co-owner Ness Wadia reportedly involved in a heated exchange with KKR boss Shahrukh Khan during a meeting with IPL franchise owners and the BCCI. The discussion focused on the future of IPL 2025, with Wadia advocating for changes that could benefit the Kings.

This past season, the Kings finished a disappointing ninth on the table, managing just five wins against nine losses. One of their few highlights was a record-breaking chase against KKR, where they successfully pursued a massive target of 262. However, these moments of brilliance were few and far between.

As the 2025 IPL mega auction looms, several teams, including Punjab Kings, have expressed a desire to scrap the mega auctions in favor of mini auctions and to eliminate the Impact Player rule. Many franchises are also pushing for the ability to retain at least 7 to 8 players to maintain the core of their squads. Additionally, there’s a growing consensus among teams to ban overseas players for two years if they fail to participate after signing up for the auction.

With these changes in mind, Punjab Kings are likely to release some of their overseas players as they look to rebuild. One of the players who might be on the chopping block is Jonny Bairstow. The England wicketkeeper-batsman has not lived up to expectations during his time with the Kings. Although he scored 551 runs in 22 matches at a strike rate of nearly 150, his overall performance has been inconsistent. Despite a match-winning century against KKR earlier this year, Bairstow has struggled to find form, and the team may decide to move on without him.

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Another player who could be released is Chris Woakes. The England all-rounder didn’t get a single game in IPL 2024 and spent the entire season on the bench. While Woakes has shown his class in Test cricket, particularly in the recent series against the West Indies, he hasn’t been among the top performers in T20 cricket recently. Given this, Punjab Kings might opt to let him go as they search for stronger options.

Lastly, Matthew Short, the Australian all-rounder, might also find himself released by the Kings. Short was brought in as a replacement for Jonny Bairstow in IPL 2023, but he failed to make a significant impact. In six matches, he scored just 117 runs at a strike rate of slightly over 120 and didn’t take any wickets. His underwhelming performance might lead the team to seek other all-rounders who can contribute more effectively.